This is a lovely hotel on the banks of the Arno river. The location is beautiful and the gardens are well looked after. The location would be very peacful but there was building work next door during our stay which did disturb us when we were relaxing in the grounds. The restaurant was very good, with perfect views of the river and we enjoyed a delicious meal there on the first night of our stay. The second evening was not so good as the hotel had failed to advise us of the private event they were hosting for 100 which meant the pool area and terrace were out of bounds for residents for much of the day. We felt like we were intruding and made this clear to the hotel staff. They didn't appear too concerned and made reservations for us at a local restaurant after admitting that the event meant the restaurant would not be as romantic as usual. I'm sure Villa La Massa is usually fantastic and we did enjoy our first night but beware of private events which may spoil the tranquility of your stay.

Should have wriiten review 2 years ago but I will write what I remember: 15-20 minute shuttle from Villa to Florence center, you have to ask ahead to be placed on the passenger list since the shuttle only holds about 10 passengers so first come firt serve.Shuttle stops running early so after around 8 pm you must pay for a taxi to get back to the hotel, very $$$! NOT HANDICAP FRIENDLY...we learned the hard way even when we called months in advance to confirm and re-confirm. Wheelchair didn't fit thu doorway or room,switched rooms to a "handicap room" but wheelchair didn't fit thru doorway of bathroom so hubby had to switch chairs every time he needed to go.Villa ended up renting a chair from the local goodwill shelter and wanted us to flip the bill for their failure to accomodate even when notified months in advance..also wanted us to pay for shower chair..we didn't give them a dime extra..this isn't a holiday inn, its a 5 star luxury villa..and we expect treatment like such.When a hotel states they are handicap accessible they better live up to it. Grounds were beautiful, secluded so if you like the tuscan hills this is for you. Building was beautiful,decor was true to the historic richness of the villa.Next to the river, beautiful natural scenery, very romantic! Internet is not extra..and plenty of computers..yay!! Food is very good, olives are the best my husband as tasted but like the shuttle the kitchen has weird hours.They take these strange breaks so they only cook during the designated time slots..strange to us since we're use to 24 hour diners in the metropolitan area..just don't expect food after 9pm, no 24 hour room service, and you cant go anywhere to eat since the shuttle stops running by that time and you are in the middle of no where..good way to lose some weight! If you like secluded places surrounded by beautiful landscapes and don't mind being on someone else's schedule, this is the place for you!! But if you want to see Florence from within,want a good nightlife,and like food anytime your heart desires then this is definetly not the place for you!

I intended to stay at Villa La Massa this past July. Unfortunately, I was required to cancel my reservation fairly close to my stay, but within the hotel's stated cancellation policy. My plan was to stay at the VLM for four days, tour around elsewhere and then return for another three days at the beginning of August. When I cancelled I received a cancellation number and a name of the hotel employee who gave me the number; I also received another number and employee name for the second reservation. Well...to this day, the hotel refuses to acknowledge the cancellation number which they gave to me and have refused to credit my amex card for the deposit. They acknowledged the cancellation for the second reservation. Both cancellation numbers were similar (same amount of digits and both begin with the number "7"); both cancellations were supported with names of hotel employees; and....I even provided them with a copy of the cell phone record which shows that I called the hotel oon a specific date and time in order to cancel. The GM still refuses to acknowledge that I cancelled the room. He still insists I was a "no-show." I have all the proof, all the numbers, the records, etc., but the hotel obviously does not want to do the right thing and refund the $1200.00 they charged to my card fraudulently. We even asked for email confirmations upon cancelling and we never got them. I guess I should be grateful that at least they acknowledge the cancellation of the second res. I am sure it is a beautiful place and it was regrettable that I needed to cancel, but I believe that since I cancelled in accordance with all the rules , etc., the hotel is shocking in its refusal to refund me the money.

Early afternoon we arrived in the hotel by bus (bus no 33 from the railways station SMN and then the local bus no 48 connecting in Bagno di Ripoli). Although the hotel has a complimentary shuttle bus to and from the Ponte Vecchio, it does not run early afternoon. The 6.30 pm shuttle is very convenient for dinner in Firenze. A return by taxi costs about euro 25. The Santo Bevitore in the via St. Spirito serves excellent dinners for reasonable prices. The hotel is therefore highly convenient for discovering Firenze, in a rural area outside the busy but easily to be reached city. The hotel consists of three buildings in a very large garden. Our beautyfully decorated room was in the Noble villa, the main and the most authentic building, furthermore the more recent litlle villa and the old mill. We particularly liked the nice and large bathroom. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the more recent little villa. Breakfast here on the banks of the Arno is a perfect start of the day. Breakfast offered a good choice of pastries, particularly the fruit pie was delicious and fresh fruits. A few country bikes are available, they are complimentary. We followed the Arno river to almost in Firenze, crossed the river and returned to Pontassieve where there is a bridge to return to Candeli.

We had a wonderful stay. Truly no expectations. My husband and I have traveled extensively, and this was the first major trip with the teens. The staff could not have been any more accomodating or friendly. Loved the location. Would definitely return for road excursions outside of Florence.